Slovakia's sports ministry suspends funding for the Slovak Football Association

The Slovak Ministry of Travel and Sport, headed by Minister Rudolf Huliak, raised the 2026 budget for recognized sports from €65 million to €76.6 million, adding €10.8 million that was largely allocated to the Slovak Football Association (SFZ).

In April 2026 the ministry temporarily halted the SFZ’s state grant, citing serious irregularities identified by the main sports controller, including alleged misuse of funds for mobile phones. The suspension impacts football clubs, regional federations, coaches, national teams and thousands of young athletes across the country.

The SFZ, led by president Ján Kováčik, responded by filing a criminal complaint and submitting a legal statement demanding the decision be reversed. The federation argues the ministry’s action is unlawful, lacks concrete remedial conditions, and threatens the operation of Slovak football.